October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
At their Second Annual Awards dinner on January 21, 1969, The Washington D.C. chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BWAA) presented Pete Rose with its Sam Rice Award in the form of this classic Seth Thomas clock. The sturdy, 10” x 12” box shaped, standalone time piece is adorned with engraved gold nameplates on both sides. One reads “Sam Rice Award won by Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds,” and lists his 1968 season statistics, including a NL leading .335 batting average. The plate on the opposite side states, “Awarded by the Washington D.C. Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, January 21, 1969 Shoreham Hotel.” This award also comes with the evening’s eight-page program. The text on Rose was written by Washington Daily News writer Dave Burgin and states in part, “Rose by any other name is Charley Hustle. His goal as a player is simple. He wants to be the first singles hitter to earn $100,000 a year. As far as Cincinnati is concerned, his league leading .335 average made him the first Red since Ernie Lombardi in 1938 to win a batting championship. Rose has even been offered as a cure-all for baseball’s ills." One veteran player observed, “Baseball wouldn’t have all these problems if it had more players like Pete Rose.” The clock also comes with a newspaper clip photo of Rose flanked by Bob Gibson, Denny McLain, Mickey Mantle and Detroit Tigers Manager Mayo Smith. A Sports Investments, Inc. COA and letter on Sports Investments Inc. stationary written by Rose ex-wife Karolyn reads, “This letter certifies that the 1969 Sam Rice clock award is the original and authentic award given to my husband Pete Rose. This clock sat on our mantle (sic) in our house for many years.”